Fluoride in Our Drinking Water

Is It Safe?

Fluoride in water is supposed to go to work in the saliva to reduce de-mineralization and increase mineralization in tooth enamel. This helps reduce the number of cavities. At least that is what the water company or dentist may tell you.

But how does it do that, you ask? Good question!

According to the CDC:

"Fluoride is the ionic form of the element fluorine, the 13th most abundant element in the earth's crust. Fluoride is negatively charged and combines with positive ions (e.g., calcium or sodium) to form stable compounds (e.g., calcium fluoride or sodium fluoride). Such fluorides are released into the environment naturally in both water and air. Fluoride compounds also are produced by some industrial processes that use the mineral apatite, a mixture of calcium phosphate compounds. In humans, fluoride is mainly associated with calcified tissues (i.e., bones and teeth) because of its high affinity for calcium. "http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm

That paper also claims that bacteria in the mouth interact with carbohydrates and creates acid. In response, dental plaque releases fluoride and lowers the ph. This fluoride combines with fluoride in the saliva and is "taken up" along with calcium and phosphate by de-mineralized enamel and improves the tooth enamel.

Fluoride also inhibits the bacteria from metabolizing carbohydrates and producing acid. This is called cariogenic activity.

When people drink fluoridated water, fluoride in the saliva ducts is about 0.016 PPM, otherwise it is 0.006ppm. In neither case is that enough fluoride to affect the "cariogenic activity." This is why dentists suggest to brush with fluoridated toothpaste to raise the fluoride in the saliva 100- 1,000 times. This lasts for about 1 to 2 hours before returning to previous levels.

Two things come to mind. First, is the fluoride that is put in the water (also found in industrial waste from fertilizer companies and aluminum factories) the same as that which occurs naturally? I get a lot from the iron in spinach, but chewing nails doesn't seem to help much. I just wind up farting tacks and I still have iron poor tired blood. Secondly, What happens when one reduces their carbohydrate intake? Are people getting benefit from fluoridated water, or is there a larger population of folks NOT eating high carb. diets?

Conspiracy theories about pacifying the masses for a one world government or selling us a bill of goods so the atomic bomb could be built and industrial plants could avoid lawsuits aside, is the cost/benefit ratio worth it? Is fluoride really only safe at one part per million? If so, why does the FDA allow up to 4 ppm? Are we suffering from passivity, reduced IQ, damaged teeth, arthritis, fluorosis, and central nervous system effects as a result of fluoridated water, tooth gels and other oral products, and what's in the food, water and air we naturally consume?

"Organic fluorides are important in for the drug and agriculture industries representing 30-40% of all agrochemicals and 20% of pharmaceuticals on the market. This 20% include such drugs as Prozac, Paxil, Cipro, and Propulsid. The carbon fluoride bond is the most inert of bonds in organic chemistry and therefore most resistant to degradation. It is this unique property that the element has found its way into refrigerants, plastics, pharmaceuticals, oils, pesticides, etc. Teflon and Gore-Tex are two examples of fluorine atoms at work."http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/chemistry/200609fluorine.html

One reason drug companies use it is because adding fluorine onto a molecule makes it stick to fat and so it stays in the body longer making the drug more effective. But what about accumulative effects of inert fluoride?

As a person with COPD, I am very sensitive to particulate matter, or whatever else is in the air. For years, I noticed how I always cough as soon as I get out of the shower. Can it be fluoride and possibly chloride in the water vapor?

Since fluorine is so reactive and so easily bound to other molecules, it is not naturally released from its compounds, so no fluorine gas is being formed in my shower from the fluoride. However, fluoride can be aerosolized along with the water. Same thing with chloride.

According to the CDC:

"Fluorides that are attached to very small particles may stay in theair for many days."

Sodium Fluoride is added to your drinking water. Sodium fluoride has been named a hazardous substance by the EPA.

The chlorine in your shower water reacts with the organic compounds on your skin forming chloramines.

What happens when fluoride reacts with organic compounds on your skin?